The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Gwarimpa, Abuja, heard on Wednesday that former Minister of Labour, Chris Ngige, who is standing trial over alleged N2.2 billion fraud charges, awarded an N80 million renovation contract to a firm that did not participate in the bidding process.
First prosecution witness Pedro Chellen, whose petition triggered Mr Ngige’s investigation and trial, said the contract was for the renovation of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Makurdi office.
Led in evidence by prosecution lawyer Sylvanus Tahir, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), the witness, an entrepreneur and project manager of Imanil Haq Nigeria Limited, told the court that his company briefed its lawyers to petition the EFCC after discovering that the company that was awarded the NSITF contract was not part of the bidding process.
EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, shared a statement with some of the details of Wednesday’s proceedings with PREMIUM TIMES.
Mr Ngige, a former governor of Anambra State on the Peoples Democratic Party’s platform from May 2003 to March 2006, served as Nigeria’s labour minister from 2015 to 2023, during the late former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
In December 2025, EFCC filed eight counts of fraud against the former minister, who supervised the NSITF as the labour minister.
The commission accused him of awarding seven contracts worth over N366 million “for consultancy, training and supply by the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF)” to a company, Cezimo Nigeria Limited, belonging to his associate, Ezebinwa Charles.
The prosecution similarly accused him of awarding eight contracts worth over N583 million to another company belonging to Mr Charles.
The EFCC also alleged that the defendant used his position to give preferential treatment, awarding eight contracts worth over N362 million to a company, Jeff & Xris Limited, belonging to Nwosu Chukwunwike.
Other companies he allegedly awarded contracts under controversial circumstances include Olde English Consolidated Limited and Shale Atlantic Intercontinental Services Limited, belonging to Uzoma Igbonwa to the sum of N668 million and N161 million respectively.
How witness’ petition led to Ngige’s investigation
Mr Chelle, the first prosecution witness, told trial judge Maryam Hassan on Wednesday that he was invited by the EFCC after submitting his petition, reporting alleged irregularities in the award of the NSITF renovation contract, to the anti-graft agency.
He identified the petition and the bid documents attached to it. The judge admitted the documents as Exhibit P1.
He also narrated how his company applied for the contract and participated in the bidding process following its advertisement in the papers
According to him, following the loss by his company, he wrote to the management of NSITF, requesting details of the contract award.
He said nothing came out of it, prompting him to appeal to the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) where it was revealed that the contract was awarded to a company which did not participate in the bidding process.
Under cross examination by defence lawyer Patrick Ikwueto, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SANO, the witness said his petition was against the management board of NSITF.
He said that he also complained about the change of title of the contract from ‘Renovation of Makurdi Office’ to ‘Construction of Makurdi Office’.
He added that the initial cost of N80 million was also hiked to N120 million by the management board of the NSITF.
He said he made a statement to the EFCC in 2023.
He also noted that there was massive corruption in NSITF and further acknowledged that he had not attended any management meeting of the NSITF board. He also said he learned through the media that the board was later reconstituted.
The judge adjourned the matter until Thursday for continuation of trial.
The court remanded Mr Ngige in prison following his arraignment on 12 December 2025 and granted him bail six days later.
About NSITF
The NSITF is saddled with managing the Employees’ Compensation Scheme (ECS).
The ECS is designed to provide social protection, compensation, and rehabilitation for workers injured, disabled, or deceased due to work-related accidents or diseases, funded by employer contributions (typically 1 per cent of payroll) and covering both public/private sectors under the Employees’ Compensation Act.
It also promotes workplace safety and ensures employers register and contribute, with compliance often required for contracts.
